Computer docking station with half-height bays and associated security system

ABSTRACT

A computer docking station has a disk drive module incorporated therein which is capable of operatively receiving a disk drive therein. The disk drive module is also capable of being operatively installed within a desktop computer or other enclosure having a half-height bay therein. Security features of the docking station include preventing access by unauthorized persons to the disk drive, and preventing ejection of the disk drive from the disk drive module. Additionally, multiple disk drive modules may be cooperatively linked in the docking station so that the security features relating to each of the disk drive modules may be simultaneously actuated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to a copending application entitled"COMPUTER DOCKING STATION WITH INTEGRAL BASE SECURITY SYSTEM", attorneyapplication Ser. No. 08/735,673 docket no. CMPQ-1210, and having Mark H.Ruch, Steven S. Homer, Kelly K. Smith, Jason Q. Paulsel, and GreangsakJongolnee as inventors thereof. The copending application isincorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to personal computers and, in adisclosed preferred embodiment, more specifically provides a computerdocking station with half-height bays and associated security system.

2. Description of Related Art

It is well known in the art to enhance the convenience of using aportable, notebook, or laptop computer (hereinafter, a "portable"computer) by providing a docking station to which the computer may beinterconnected. In this manner, the computer is readily interconnectedto a relatively large monitor, additional storage devices, such as diskdrives, additional capabilities, such as those provided by PCMCIA cards,networks, speakers, input devices, additional microprocessors and memorydevices, etc., when the computer is docked with the docking station in auser's office or home.

When the computer is not docked with the docking station, the usertypically does not wish unauthorized persons to have access to thestorage devices, including the disk drives, which may be incorporatedinto the docking station. Unfortunately, in conventional dockingstations, if another person has a computer which is compatible with thedocking station, that person is typically able to dock their computerwith the docking station and thereby gain access to the disk drivestherein.

In addition, conventional docking stations are typically configured toreceive desktop computer-type disk drives therein. These desktopcomputer-type disk drives may be conventional floppy disk and/or harddisk drives. Unfortunately, installation and removal of these diskdrives is difficult and time-consuming for the typical user.

Recently, portable disk drives have been developed for portablecomputers which are easily inserted into and ejected from the portablecomputers in a manner similar to the way in which floppy disks areinserted into and ejected from floppy disk drives. This advancement inthe art now permits disk drives to be transported and interchangedbetween computers, substantially enhancing the user's convenience. Forexample, if the user has a computer configured to accept a portable diskdrive both at home and at work, the user can easily work at home bytransporting a portable hard disk drive containing necessary data andprograms from the computer at work to the computer at home.

It would, thus, be advantageous for the user's docking station to beprovided with the ability to operatively accept one or more portabledisk drives therein. Unfortunately, due to the very portability of thedisk drives, this situation would also increase the security concernsassociated with the docking station, since an unauthorized person couldeasily eject the portable disk drives from the docking station when theuser is away from the docking station.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that it would be quite desirable toprovide a computer docking station which does not permit unauthorizedaccess to disk drives installed therein and does not permit portabledisk drives in the docking station to be removed from the dockingstation by unauthorized persons, but which permits convenientutilization of portable disk drives by the computer when it is dockedwith the docking station. It is accordingly an object of the presentinvention to provide such a computer docking station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In carrying out principles of the present invention, in accordance witha preferred embodiment thereof, a computer docking station is providedwhich includes at least one disk drive module configured to operablyreceive a disk drive therein. Once received in the disk drive module,further features of the present invention, which may be incorporatedinto the preferred embodiment, include security features which preventaccess to the disk drive and/or prevent ejection of the disk drive fromthe disk drive module.

In basic terms, a disclosed computer docking station includes at leastone disk drive module for operatively receiving a disk drive therein.The disk drive module includes an enclosure, a drive engagement member,and a retaining member.

The enclosure, which may include a chassis and a face plate, has anopening formed thereon. The opening is complementarily shaped forreceiving the disk drive therein.

The drive engagement member is slidably disposed on the enclosure. It iscapable of engaging the disk drive when the disk drive is received inthe enclosure. When so engaged, reception of the disk drive in theenclosure slides the engagement member rearwardly relative to theenclosure.

The retaining member is disposed on the enclosure. It is capable ofdisplacing relative to the engagement member. The retaining member iscooperatively engageable with the engagement member to prevent ejectionof the disk drive. To permit ejection of the disk drive, the retainingmember is displaced relative to the engagement member to therebydisengage the retaining member from the engagement member.

Also provided is a computer docking station having security featuresincorporated therein associated with one or more disk drive modules ofthe docking station. Each of the disk drive modules operatively andremovably receives a disk drive therein and includes an enclosure, anejection member, and a latching member.

The enclosure has an opening formed thereon, which is complementarilyshaped for receiving the disk drive therein. The ejection member isslidably disposed on the enclosure. The ejection member is capable ofdisplacing relative to the enclosure in a direction to thereby eject thedisk drive when the disk drive is received in the enclosure.

The latching member is also disposed on the enclosure. It is capable ofengaging the ejection member to thereby prevent displacement of theejection member relative to the enclosure in the direction to eject thedisk drive.

Additionally, a computer docking station is provided by the presentinvention, which permits security features of multiple disk drivemodules to be interconnected. The security features may be configuredfor simultaneous actuation thereof, or security features of certain onesof the disk drive modules may be deactivated as desired.

The docking station includes first and second disk drive modules. Eachof the disk drive modules includes an enclosure, an ejection member, alatching member, and an actuating member. The enclosure has an openingformed thereon complementarily shaped for receiving a disk drivetherein.

The ejection member is slidably disposed on the enclosure, and iscapable of displacing relative to the enclosure in a direction tothereby eject the disk drive when the disk drive is received in theenclosure.

The latching member is also disposed on the enclosure, and is capable ofengaging the ejection member to thereby prevent displacement of theejection member relative to the enclosure in the direction to eject thedisk drive.

The actuating member is slidably disposed on said enclosure, and ispositionable in a selected one of a first position in which theactuating member biases the latching member to engage the ejectionmember, and a second position in which the actuating member permits thelatching member to be disengaged from the ejection member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a disk drive module embodyingprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the disk drive module of FIG. 1,showing a disk drive operatively installed therein;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the disk drive module of FIG. 1,showing the disk drive module received in a drive module cage;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of multiple ones of the disk drivemodule of FIG. 1, configured to permit simultaneous operation of asecurity feature of the drive module;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the multiple disk drive modules ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the multiple disk drive modules of FIG.4 operatively configured in half-height bays within a computer dockingstation embodying principles of the present invention, with top and rearportions of the docking station removed, and showing a control moduledisposed therein;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of one of the disk drive modules and thecontrol module shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a top, right, and front perspective view of the computerdocking station of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a disk drive module 10embodying principles of the present invention. As shown and describedherein, the disk drive module 10 is configured for mounting within aconventional half-height disk drive dimensional and operationalenvelope. It is to be understood, however, that the disk drive 10 may beotherwise dimensioned and mounted without departing from the principlesof the present invention.

The disk drive module 10 includes a generally box-shaped chassis 12, agenerally rectangular face plate 14, and a generally rectangular door16. As shown in FIG. 1, the door 16 covers a complementarily shapedopening 18 formed through the face plate 14 and is hingedly attachedproximate an upper edge 20 of the opening.

Several mounting holes 22 are provided through the chassis 12 for use insecuring the disk drive module 10 within a half-height bay of acomputer, docking station, or other enclosure. For example, the diskdrive module 10 may be operatively installed within a desktop computerhaving one or more half-height bays therein. However, it is to beunderstood that the disk drive module 10 may also be utilized as astand-alone unit.

A bar 24 extends laterally outward through a recess 26 formed on thechassis 12. As will be more fully described hereinbelow, the bar 24permits actuation of a security feature of the present invention, andalso permits interconnection of the safety feature between multiple diskdrive modules 10 (see FIGS. 4-6). In operation of the security feature,laterally inward displacement of the bar 24 prevents ejection of aportable disk drive (not shown in FIG. 1) from the disk drive module 10.

An eject button 28 is laterally slidingly disposed on the face plate 14.When a portable disk drive is operatively received within the disk drivemodule 10, the eject button 28 may be pushed laterally to the left asviewed in FIG. 1, in order to eject the portable disk drive from thedisk drive module 10. Note that the portable disk drive will not beejected from the disk drive module 10 if the bar 24 has been laterallyinwardly displaced.

Also disposed on the face plate 14 is a disk drive operation indicator30. The indicator 30 is illuminated if the portable disk drive receivedin the disk drive module 10 is operating, thereby indicating the diskdrive's operation to a user and warning the user not to eject the diskdrive while it is operating.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 2, the disk drive module 10 is shownfrom a bottom side perspective view. A cage 32 has been mounted to thechassis 12, utilizing fasteners (not shown) secured through the cage andinto the holes 22. The representatively illustrated cage 32 permitsconvenient mounting of the disk drive module 10 within a docking stationdescribed more fully hereinbelow, but it is to be understood that othermethods may be utilized to mount the disk drive module 10 withoutdeparting from the principles of the present invention. For example, thedisk drive module 10 could be mounted directly to a suitably configuredhousing without utilizing a separate cage 32.

In FIG. 2, the disk drive module 10 is shown with a portable disk drive34 operatively installed therein, an electrical connector 36 disposed onthe disk drive 34 making electrical contact with a complementarilyconfigured electrical connector 38 disposed on a printed circuit board(PCB) 40 mounted within the disk drive module 10. Also disposed on thePCB 40 is a light-emitting diode (LED) 42, which is lighted when thedisk drive 34 is operating. Light from the LED 42 is transmitted to theindicator 30 on the face plate 14 via an elongated clear plastic portion44 (also known as a "light pipe") of the indicator.

The LED 42 may be otherwise mounted with respect to the light pipe 44without departing from the principles of the present invention. Forexample, in FIG. 2, the LED 42 is shown in dashed lines installed in analternate location with respect to the light pipe 44. At this location,the LED 42 is inserted into a recess (not visible in FIG. 2) formed intothe light pipe 44.

When the disk drive 34 is inserted inwardly through the opening 18, anumber of separate, but functionally interrelated, events occur. Asdescribed hereinabove, the connector 36 on the disk drive 34 operativelyengages the connector 38 on the PCB 40, thereby enabling power supply,data transmission, etc., between the disk drive and the computer and/ordocking station, or other equipment to which the disk drive module 10may be operatively connected. Additionally, an upwardly extendingprojection 50 formed on a sled 46 slidably mounted on a bottom side 48of the disk drive module 10 engages a shoulder 52 formed on the diskdrive 34, causing the sled to be displaced rearwardly. Furthermore, adownwardly extending pin 54 formed on the sled 46 rearwardly traverses aside edge 56 of an actuating lever 58, until the pin engages a recess 60formed laterally into the edge of the lever.

The side edge 56 of the lever 58 is maintained in contact with the pin54 by a biasing force exerted by a spirally wound extension spring 62attached at one end to the lever, and at its other end to the sled 46.The spring 62 at the same time biases the sled 46 forward, so that thesled is capable of forcing the disk drive 34 (due to the contact betweenthe projection 50 and the shoulder 52) forwardly and outwardly throughthe opening 18 when the disk drive 34 is ejected.

It will be readily apparent from a careful consideration of FIG. 2 andthe foregoing description that the cooperative engagement of the pin 54with the recess 60, after the disk drive 34 has been operativelyinstalled in the disk drive module 10 as shown in FIG. 2, prevents thedisk drive from being ejected from the disk drive module. If the pin 54were not engaged in the recess 60, the spring 62 would bias the sled 46forwardly and the sled would, in turn, transmit the forwardly biasingforce to the disk drive, thereby ejecting the disk drive from the diskdrive module.

The lever 58 is pivotably mounted at one end 64 to the bottom side 48 ofthe disk drive module 10. At its other end 66, the lever 58 is receivedin a slot 68 formed through a laterally extending eject member 70. Theeject member 70 is slidably disposed to the rear of the face plate 14and is secured to the eject button 28 via an opening formed through theface plate (not visible in FIG. 2). Thus, when the eject button 28 isslid laterally to the left as viewed in FIG. 2, the eject member 70 isalso caused to slide laterally to the left, in turn causing the end 66of the lever 58 to be displaced laterally to the left (due tocooperative engagement of the end 66 in the slot 68), thereby pivotingthe lever 58 counterclockwise about its end 64 as viewed in FIG. 2,against the biasing force of the spring 62. When the lever 58 is pivotedcounterclockwise about its end 64, the pin 54 is permitted to disengagefrom the recess 60, since the recess is thereby displaced laterally awayfrom the pin.

The lever 58 includes a forwardly inclined edge 72 formed thereonadjacent and laterally opposite the recess 60. When the lever 58 ispivoted counterclockwise as described above to disengage the pin 54 fromthe recess 60, the inclined edge 72 will contact the pin after itdisengages from the recess. It will be readily apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that pin 54 does not necessarily contact theinclined edge 72 when it disengages from the recess 60, since the spring62 may immediately displace the sled 46 forwardly with respect to thelever 58 before the inclined edge is displaced sufficiently laterally tocontact the pin. However, the applicants have found throughexperimentation, adjustment of the biasing force exerted by the spring62, geometry of the lever 58, sled 46, etc., that with a disk drive 34operatively installed in the illustrated preferred embodiment of thedisk drive module 10, the pin 54 will contact the inclined edge 72 afterthe pin is disengaged from the recess 60.

In the preferred embodiment representatively illustrated in FIG. 2, oneof the main reasons the sled 46 typically does not immediately slideforward to eject the disk drive 34 from the disk drive module 10 whenthe pin 54 is disengaged from the recess 60 is that greater force isgenerally required to separate the connectors 36, 38 than is exerted bythe spring 62 on the sled 46. It will be readily apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that the spring 62 could be designed to exertgreater biasing force, the connectors 36, 38 could be designed to haveless required force of separation, etc., so that the spring 62 couldimmediately displace the sled 46 forwardly when the pin 54 is disengagedfrom the recess 60.

However, the applicants prefer that the spring 62 not exert anexceedingly large biasing force on the sled 46, since that may make itsomewhat difficult for the user to install the disk drive 34 in the diskdrive module 10 and may eject the disk drive from the disk drive moduletoo forcefully. Of course, a person of ordinary skill in the art maymodify the spring 62, sled 46, etc. to include cams, dampers, etc., inorder to modify the force, speed of ejection, etc. of the disk drive 34,without departing from the principles of the present invention.

As discussed hereinabove, a security feature of the disk drive module 10is actuated utilizing a laterally disposed bar 24. This security featureacts to prevent pivoting displacement of the lever 58 when the diskdrive 34 is operatively installed in the disk drive module 10. Suchpivoting displacement of the lever 58 is prevented by engagement of alatch 74 with the eject member 70 when the bar 24 is displaced laterallyinward relative to the disk drive module 10.

The latch 74 is pivotably mounted to the bottom side 48 of the diskdrive module 10 and includes an upwardly extending end portion 76. Whenthe security feature is disengaged, the end portion 76 is downwardlydisposed relative to an inwardly extending end portion 78 of the ejectmember 70. However, when the security feature is engaged by inwardlydisplacing the bar 24, an opposite end portion 80 of the latch 74 isdownwardly displaced relative to the bottom side 48, thereby pivotingthe latch and upwardly displacing the end portion 76 into engagementwith the end portion 78 of the eject member 70.

With the end portions 76 and 78 engaged, the eject member 70 isprevented from laterally displacing relative to the face plate 14. Thus,if the user (or an unauthorized person) attempts to eject the disk drive34 from the disk drive module 10 by applying a lateral force to theeject button 28, the eject button will not displace relative to the faceplate 14, the eject member 70 will not displace, and the end 66 of thelever 58 will not displace, thereby preventing ejection of the diskdrive from the disk drive module.

The end portion 80 of the latch 74 is displaced upwardly or downwardlyrelative to the bottom side 48 depending upon the relative positions ofa pin 82 formed on the end portion 80 and a ramp 84 formed on anactuating member 86. The actuating member 86 is laterally slidablydisposed relative to the bottom side 48 and is biased rightwardly asviewed in FIG. 2 by a spirally wound extension spring 88 operativelymounted between the actuating member and the bottom side. The bar 24 isselectively positionable relative to the actuating member 86 by means ofthree resilient fingers 90 formed on the actuating member which arecomplementarily shaped to engage an opening 92 formed through the bar24. Thus, the bar 24 is slidably disposed relative to the actuatingmember 86 between three positions determined by the laterally spacedapart fingers 90.

As viewed in FIG. 2, the bar 24 is positioned relative to the actuatingmember 86 so that the security feature may be actuated by a cam-operatedlever 94 in a docking station 96 (see FIG. 7). If the bar 24 isdisplaced rightwardly as viewed in FIG. 2 so that the next finger 90 tothe right is engaged with the opening 92, the bar will be positioned sothat it may be linked with another disk drive module 10 (see FIG. 4),thereby permitting the security feature to be enabled and disabledsimultaneously for multiple disk drive modules. If the bar 24 isdisplaced leftwardly as viewed in FIG. 2 so that the next finger 90 tothe left is engaged with the opening 92, the bar will be positioned sothat it does not project laterally outward from the disk drive module 10(see FIG. 7), thereby preventing actuation of the security feature inthe representatively illustrated preferred embodiment. It is to beunderstood that other positions, and different numbers of positions, ofthe bar 24 relative to the actuating member 86 may be provided withoutdeparting from the principles of the present invention.

Note that when the actuating member 86 is in its rightmost positionrelative to the bottom side 48, as representatively illustrated in FIG.2, the pin 82 on the latch 74 is disposed relative to the ramp 84 sothat the end portion 76 is correspondingly pivoted out of engagementwith the end portion 78 of the eject member 70. When, however, theactuating member 86 is displaced laterally leftward as viewed in FIG. 2,the pin 82 is displaced downwardly relative to the bottom side 48 by theramp 84, the ramp being correspondingly downwardly inclined for thispurpose, and the end portion 76 is, thus, pivoted into engagement withthe end portion 78 of the eject member 70. In the preferred embodiment,the end portion 80 produces a smaller moment than does the end portion76 of the latch 74, so that the latch is weight-biased to pivotdownwardly at the end portion 76 and, correspondingly, upwardly at theend portion 80. It is to be understood that other means of biasing theend portion 76 downwardly out of engagement with the end portion 78and/or biasing the end portion 80 upwardly into engagement with the ramp84 may be provided without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, for example, a spring may be provided for this purpose.

A generally laterally outwardly facing pad 98 is formed on the actuatingmember 86. Laterally opposite the pad 98 a recess 100 is formed on thechassis 12. When multiple disk drive modules 10 are linked, as describedhereinabove and as representatively illustrated in FIG. 4, the recess100 of one disk drive module is positioned laterally opposite the recess26 of another disk drive module, thereby permitting the bar 24 of theother disk drive module to extend laterally through the recess 100 andabut the pad 98. In this manner, when the bar 24 of the first disk drivemodule is displaced laterally inward to actuate the security feature,the actuating member 86 of the first disk drive module is laterallydisplaced, thereby laterally displacing the pad 98 thereof, and causingthe bar 24 of the second disk drive module to be correspondinglylaterally inwardly displaced. Thus, the security features of both of thedisk drive modules 10 are simultaneously enabled or disabled bydisplacement of one of the bars 24.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 3, the disk drive module 10 is showndisposed within the cage 32. Note that the cage 32 is reversiblerelative to the disk drive module 10 from a position wherein the cageand disk drive module are configured for installation in a left side bay102 to a position wherein the cage and disk drive module are configuredfor installation in a right side bay 104 of the docking station 96. Whenproperly configured for installation in one of the bays 102, 104,fasteners (not shown) are installed through openings 106 (only two ofwhich are visible in FIG. 3) and secured into threaded holes 22.

It will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art thatmore than two disk drive modules 10 may be linked as describedhereinabove, that otherwise configured cages 32 may be provided formounting the disk drive module 10 within the docking station 96, andthat the relative positionings of disk drive modules and cages withinthe docking station may be varied. These and similar modifications maybe made to the cage 32, disk drive module 10, and docking station 96without departing from the principles of the present invention.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 4, two disk drive modules 10 arerepresentatively illustrated with disk drives 34 operatively installedtherein. Several elements of the disk drive modules 10, such as thesprings 62, 88, are not shown for illustrative clarity. FIG. 4 shows amanner in which the security features of two disk drive modules 10 maybe conveniently actuated by utilizing a single cam 108.

A somewhat modified bar 110 is shown on the rightmost (as viewed in FIG.4) disk drive module 10, the modified bar being shorter than the bar 24on the leftmost disk drive module, to demonstrate one type ofmodification that may be made without departing from the principles ofthe present invention. It is to be understood that it is not necessaryfor the bar 110 to be modified according to the principles of thepresent invention. For example, the bar 24 could be used on therightmost disk drive module 10 in place of the bar 110 and the cam 108could be positioned further laterally outward from the rightmost diskdrive module, or the bar 110 could be displaced to another positionrelative to the actuating member 86 by engaging the opening 92 withanother finger 90.

The bar 110 is in contact with an inclined surface 112 formed on therotatable cam 108. It will be readily appreciated that, as the cam 108is rotated about its axis, the bar 110 may be laterally displaced by theinclined surface 112. Preferably, the springs 88 (see FIG. 2) bias thebar 110 into lateral contact with the cam 108.

If the inclined surface 112 laterally inwardly displaces the bar 110relative to the rightmost disk drive module 10, the actuating member 86on the rightmost disk drive module will correspondingly be laterallydisplaced, which will cause the bar 24 on the leftmost disk drive moduleto be laterally inwardly displaced relative to the leftmost disk drivemodule (due to contact between the bar 24 and the pad 98 on therightmost disk drive module), thereby also laterally displacing theactuating member on the leftmost disk drive module. As describedhereinabove, more than two disk drive modules 10 may be linked.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 5, the linked disk drive modules 10of FIG. 4 are shown from a top perspective view. In this view, therelative positioning of the disk drive modules 10 within the reversiblecages 32 and the cam 108 may be clearly seen. Configured as shown inFIG. 5, the disk drive modules 10, cages 32, and cam 108 may beoperatively installed in the docking station 96 shown in FIG. 6. As willbe described more fully hereinbelow, when the disk drive modules 10 andcam 108 are operatively installed in the illustrated preferredembodiment of the docking station 96, another bar 24 is utilized inplace of the modified bar 110, and the inclined surface 112 on the cam108 is not in direct contact with the bar 24.

Referring additionally to FIG. 6, the disk drive modules 10 are shownoperatively installed in the docking station 96. For illustrativeclarity, portions of the docking station 96 have been removed (see FIG.8 for a top perspective view of the complete docking station).

The disk drive modules 10 and cages 32 are installed in left and rightside bays, 102 and 104, respectively, formed in the docking station 96.The bays 102, 104 are configured to correspond dimensionally toindustry-standard half-height bays. Thus, it is not necessary for thedisk drive modules 10 to be installed in the bays 102, 104, sinceconventional half-height disk drives, tape drives, CD-ROM drives, etc.may alternatively be installed in the bays.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the cages 32 are configured toaccept such alternative half-height drives, etc., so that the cages maybe utilized even if the disk drive modules 32 are not utilized in thedocking station 96. For this purpose, the mounting holes 22 on the diskdrive modules 10 (see FIG. 1) may be positioned according to mountingholes typically provided on conventional half-height disk drives. It isto be understood that it is not necessary for the disk drive modules 10to be dimensioned according to conventional half-height drives, for thedisk drive modules to be mounted similar to conventional half-heightdrives, or for the disk drive modules to be installed in half-heightbays according to the principles of the present invention.

The cam 108 is rotatably mounted within a control module 114 of thedocking station 96. The control module 114 includes switches, lights,jacks, etc. for controlling, accessing, indicating, etc. variousfunctions of a computer (not shown) docked with the docking station 96.The control module 114 also includes a keyed lock mechanism 116, which,when an appropriate key (not shown) is inserted therein, permits the cam108 to be rotated thereby. Thus, the security features of the disk drivemodules 10 may be actuated by rotating the key lock mechanism 116, inturn rotating the cam 108, and causing the bars 24 to be laterallydisplaced relative to the disk drive modules 10.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 7, a portion of the docking station96 is representatively illustrated from a bottom plan view thereof. Inthis view, the relationship between the disk drive module 10 and thecontrol module 114 adjacent thereto may be easily seen.

The bar 24 is shown in FIG. 7 as being positioned relative to theactuating member 86 so that it is laterally inwardly retracted withinthe disk drive module 10. The bar 24 is shown in this position toillustrate how the security feature may be conveniently deactivated sothat, no matter the rotational position of the cam 108, the bar 24cannot be laterally displaced by the cam. It is to be understood,however, that in normal installations, in which it is desired for thesecurity feature to be actuatable by rotation of the cam 108, the bar 24extends laterally outward from the disk drive module 10 as shown in FIG.2.

In FIG. 7 it may be seen that the key lock mechanism 116 is mounted tothe control module 114, and the cam 108 is secured to the key lockmechanism. Thus, when the key lock mechanism 116 is rotated by, forexample, inserting a key thereinto and rotating the key, the cam 108 isrotated about its axis.

As representatively illustrated in FIG. 7, the control module 114includes a cam follower or lever 94. The lever 94 is pivotably mountedto a post 118 formed on the control module 114 and is biased intocontact with the inclined surface 112 of the cam 108 by a spirally woundspring 120 encircling the post 118. As the cam 108 is rotated about itsaxis, the lever 94 is made to laterally displace relative to the diskdrive module 10, the lever 94 following the inclined surface 112 on thecam.

When the bar 24 is properly positioned so that it extends laterallyoutward from the disk drive module 10, the spring 88 laterally biasesthe actuating member 86 and, thus, causes the bar to contact the lever94. As shown in FIG. 7, the spring 88 is disconnected from the actuatingmember 86, but it is to be understood that in normal operation thespring is connected to the actuating member as shown in FIG. 2.Therefore, when the lever 94 is laterally displaced by rotation of thecam 108, the bar 24 is also laterally displaced thereby.

A switch 120 is operatively mounted within the control module 114 and ispositioned relative to the cam 108 so that the switch may be opened orclosed by rotation of the cam. Specifically, a rear surface 122 formedon the cam 108 includes a portion 124 (see FIGS. 5 & 6) which depressesthe switch 120 (thereby closing the switch) when the key lock mechanism116 is rotated to disable the security features of the disk drivemodules 10, and which releases the switch (thereby opening the switch)when the key lock mechanism is rotated to enable the security features.The switch 120 is interconnected between a power supply 132 of thedocking station 96 via a circuit board 126 mounted within the controlmodule 114 and the disk drive modules 10. Thus, when the switch 120 isclosed, power is available to the disk drive modules 10 for operatingdisk drives 34 operatively installed therein, and when the switch isopen, power is not available to the disk drive modules and the diskdrives are inoperable, thereby preventing access thereto.

It will be readily appreciated that multiple disk drive modules 10 maybe linked together as generally shown in FIG. 4 and security features ofeach of such linked multiple disk drive modules may be simultaneouslyactuated by rotation of the single key lock mechanism 116. Of course,mechanisms other than the key lock mechanism 116 may be utilized toactuate the security features of linked multiple disk drive modules 10without departing from the principles of the present invention.Likewise, other means of laterally displacing the bar 24 relative to thedisk drive module 10 may be utilized without departing from theprinciples of the present invention.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 8, the docking station 96 is shownfrom a top perspective view thereof. The disk drive modules 10 areoperatively installed in the left and right bays 102 and 104,respectively. The control module 114 of the docking station 96 isinstalled therein. The key lock mechanism 116 is installed in thecontrol module 114. The docking station 96 includes an upper sidesurface 128 on which a computer (not shown) may be supported and slidrearwardly to interconnect the computer with a connector 130, therebypermitting power, data, etc. communication between the computer and thedocking station.

When it is desired for the security feature of each of the disk drivemodules 10 to be actuated, the key lock mechanism 116 may be rotatedaccordingly. For example, the key lock mechanism 116 may be rotatedclockwise to enable the security feature and thereby prevent ejection ofthe disk drive 34 from either of the disk drive modules 10 and preventpower from being supplied to operate the disk drive 34. Likewise, thekey lock mechanism 116 may be rotated counterclockwise to disable thesecurity feature and thereby permit ejection of the disk drive 34 fromboth of the disk drive modules 10.

Alternatively, the bar 24 of the rightmost disk drive module 10 (asviewed in FIG. 8) may be positioned relative to the actuating member 86as shown in FIG. 7 in order to prevent actuation of the securityfeatures of either of the disk drive modules, in which case the diskdrives 34 may be ejected from the disk drive modules 10, but the switch120 may still be utilized to otherwise prevent operation of the diskdrive modules. As another alternative, the bar 24 of the leftmost diskdrive module 10 (as viewed in FIG. 8) may be positioned relative to theactuating member 86 as shown in FIG. 7 in order to prevent actuation ofthe security feature of only the leftmost disk drive module, so thatonly the security feature of the rightmost disk drive module may beactuated by rotation of the key lock mechanism 116.

Thus has been described the computer docking station 96 which includesthe capability of operatively accepting portable disk drives 34 thereinwithout a corresponding increase in the security concerns associatedtherewith. The user's convenience is enhanced by permitting use of thedisk drives 34 therein. However, the docking station 96 does not permitunauthorized access to disk drives 34 installed therein and does notpermit the disk drives to be ejected from the disk drive modules 10 whensecurity features thereof are enabled. Additionally, the disk drivemodules 10 may be variously configured to provide different levels ofsecurity associated therewith in the docking station 96.

The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as beinggiven by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope ofthe present invention being limited solely by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for operatively receiving a disk drivetherein, the apparatus comprising:an enclosure having an opening formedthereon, said opening being complementarily shaped for receiving thedisk drive therein; a drive engagement member, said engagement memberbeing slidably disposed on said enclosure, said engagement memberengaging the disk drive when the disk drive is received in saidenclosure to thereby slide said engagement member in a first directionrelative to said enclosure; a retaining member disposed on saidenclosure, said retaining member being displaceable relative to saidengagement member, and said retaining member being cooperativelyengageable with said engagement member to prevent ejection of the diskdrive when said retaining member is cooperatively engaged with saidengagement member and to permit ejection of the disk drive when saidretaining member is displaced relative to said engagement member tothereby disengage said retaining member from said engagement member; anda bias member, said bias member biasing said retaining member towardcontact with said engagement member, and said bias member biasing saidretaining member into cooperative engagement with said engagement memberwhen the disk drive is operatively received in said enclosure.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said engagement member furtherhas a projection formed thereon, said projection contacting a portion ofthe disk drive to thereby cause displacement of said engagement memberrelative to said enclosure when the disk drive is received in saidenclosure.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidengagement member further has a pin formed thereon and retaining memberfurther has a recess formed thereon, said recess being complementarilyshaped to receive said pin therein, and wherein said engagement memberis prevented from displacing relative to said enclosure when said pin isreceived in said recess.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, whereinsaid bias member biases said recess toward receiving said pin thereinwhen the disk drive is operatively received in said enclosure.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bias member is connected toboth of said engagement member and said retaining member.
 6. Theapparatus according to claim 5, wherein said bias member biases saidengagement member toward ejecting the disk drive from the enclosure whenthe disk drive is operatively received in the enclosure.
 7. Theapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising first connectordisposed on said enclosure, said first connector operatively connectingwith a second connector disposed on the disk drive when the disk driveis operatively received in said enclosure.
 8. The apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein said retaining member engages said engagement member tothereby separate the first connector and said second connector when saidretaining member is displaced relative to said engagement member and thedisk drive is operatively received in said enclosure.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein said engagement member further has a pinformed thereon, said retaining member further has a recess formedthereon, said recess being complementarily shaped to receive said pintherein, said engagement member is prevented from displacing relative tosaid enclosure when said pin is received in said recess, and whereinsaid retaining member further has a surface formed thereon proximatesaid recess, said surface contacting said pin to thereby displace saidengagement member relative to said enclosure and separate the firstconnector from said second connector when said retaining member isdisplaced relative to said engagement member.
 10. A computer dockingstation, comprising:at least one disk drive module for operativelyreceiving a disk drive therein, each of said at least one disk drivemodule including:an enclosure having an opening formed thereon, saidopening being complementarily shaped for receiving the disk drivetherein; a drive engagement member, said engagement member beingslidably disposed on said enclosure, said engagement member engaging thedisk drive when the disk drive is received in said enclosure to therebyslide said engagement member in a first direction relative to saidenclosure; a retaining member disposed on said enclosure, said retainingmember being displaceable relative to said engagement member, and saidretaining member being cooperatively engageable with said engagementmember to prevent ejection of the disk drive when said retaining memberis cooperatively engaged with said engagement member and to permitejection of the disk drive when said retaining member is displacedrelative to said engagement member to thereby disengage said retainingmember from said engagement member; and a bias member, said bias memberbiasing said retaining member toward contact with said engagementmember, and said bias member biasing said retaining member intocooperative engagement with said engagement member when the disk driveis operatively received in said enclosure.
 11. The docking stationaccording to claim 10, drive has a shoulder formed thereon, and whereinsaid engagement member further has a projection formed thereon, saidprojection contacting a portion of the disk drive to thereby causedisplacement of said engagement member relative to said enclosure whenthe disk drive is received in said enclosure.
 12. The docking stationaccording to claim 10, wherein said engagement member further has a pinformed thereon, said retaining member further has a recess formedthereon, said recess being complementarily shaped to receive said pintherein, and wherein said engagement member is prevented from displacingrelative to said enclosure when said pin is received in said recess. 13.The docking station according to claim 12, wherein said wherein saidbias member biases said recess toward receiving said pin therein whenthe disk drive is operatively received in said enclosure.
 14. Thedocking station according to claim 10, wherein said bias member isconnected to both of said engagement member and said retaining member.15. The docking station according to claim 14, wherein said bias memberbiases said engagement member toward ejecting the disk drive from theenclosure when the disk drive is operatively received in the enclosure.16. The docking station according to claim 10, further comprising afirst connector disposed on said enclosure, said first connectoroperatively connecting with a second connector disposed on the diskdrive when the disk drive is operatively received in said enclosure. 17.The docking station according to claim 16, wherein said retaining memberengages said engagement member to thereby separate the first connectorand said second connector when said retaining member is displacedrelative to said engagement member and the disk drive is operativelyreceived in said enclosure.
 18. The docking station according to claim17, wherein said engagement member further has a pin formed thereon,said retaining member further has a recess formed thereon, said recessbeing complementarily shaped to receive said pin therein, saidengagement member is prevented from displacing relative to saidenclosure when said pin is received in said recess, and wherein saidretaining member further has a surface formed thereon proximate saidrecess, said surface contacting said pin to thereby displace saidengagement member relative to said enclosure and separate the firstconnector from said second connector when said retaining member isdisplaced relative to said engagement member.
 19. The docking stationaccording to claim 10, further comprising a power supply and a switch,said switch being interconnected between said power supply and said atleast one disk drive module.
 20. The docking station according to claim19, further comprising a cam and a locking mechanism, said cam beingattached to said locking mechanism, said locking mechanism beingattached to a housing of said docking station, and said cam beingdisplaceable by operation of said locking mechanism to thereby operatesaid switch and selectively communicate power between said power supplyand said at least one disk drive module.
 21. Apparatus for operativelyreceiving a disk drive therein, the apparatus comprising:an enclosure; abias member; a drive engagement member slidably disposed relative tosaid enclosure and connected to said bias member, said engagement memberengaging the disk drive and being displaced relative to said enclosureagainst a biasing force of the bias member when the disk drive isinserted into said enclosure; and a retaining member pivotably disposedrelative to said enclosure and connected to said bias member, saidretaining member being cooperatively engageable with said engagementmember to prevent ejection of the disk drive when said retaining memberis cooperatively engaged with said engagement member, and said retainingmember being disengageable from said engagement member against saidbiasing force of said bias member to permit ejection of the disk drive,when the disk drive is operatively received in said enclosure.
 22. Acomputer docking station, comprising:at least one disk drive module foroperatively receiving a disk drive therein, each of said at least onedisk drive module including:an enclosure; a bias member; a driveengagement member slidably disposed relative to said enclosure andconnected to said bias member, said engagement member engaging the diskdrive and being displaced relative to said enclosure against a biasingforce of the bias member when the disk drive is inserted into saidenclosure; and a retaining member pivotably disposed relative to saidenclosure and connected to said bias member, said retaining member beingcooperatively engageable with said engagement member to prevent ejectionof the disk drive when said retaining member is cooperatively engagedwith said engagement member, and said retaining member beingdisengageable from said engagement member against said biasing force ofsaid bias member to permit ejection of the disk drive, when the diskdrive is operatively received in said enclosure.